Microdata format detected instead of JSON-LD — the fix
This page uses Microdata (itemscope/itemprop attributes) for structured data instead of JSON-LD. While both are supported, Google recommends JSON-LD as the preferred format.
Where this fits: structured data in SEO
Structured data (JSON-LD / schema.org) is how you describe your content to machines in their own vocabulary: this is a product with this price, an article by this author, an event on this date. It powers rich results — stars, FAQs, breadcrumbs, product info — which materially raise click-through rates. Invalid or incomplete markup doesn't just miss the enhancement; sustained abuse can earn manual actions, so correctness matters as much as presence.
Why microdata format detected instead of json-ld hurts your rankings
Google explicitly recommends JSON-LD over Microdata and RDFa. JSON-LD is easier to implement, maintain, and debug because it is separate from the HTML markup. Microdata requires embedding attributes throughout the HTML, making it more fragile and error-prone during template changes.
This is an advisory finding: not a defect, but an opportunity flagged so you can decide deliberately rather than by accident.
How to fix it
Convert Microdata markup to JSON-LD format. Create a <script type="application/ld+json"> block with the equivalent structured data. This can be done independently of the HTML markup, making it easier to maintain.
Structured data best practices
- Use JSON-LD in the head, one graph per page, validated against schema.org.
- Mark up what's actually on the page — invisible markup risks manual actions.
- Complete the fields rich results need: price+availability for products, dates for events, steps for how-tos.
- Add Organization + WebSite schema sitewide, and sameAs links to every social profile.
- Re-validate after redesigns — markup silently breaks when templates change.
The full library: SEO best practices, by category.
Frequently asked questions
What does "Microdata format detected instead of JSON-LD" mean?
This page uses Microdata (itemscope/itemprop attributes) for structured data instead of JSON-LD. While both are supported, Google recommends JSON-LD as the preferred format.
Why does microdata format detected instead of json-ld matter for SEO?
Google explicitly recommends JSON-LD over Microdata and RDFa. JSON-LD is easier to implement, maintain, and debug because it is separate from the HTML markup. Microdata requires embedding attributes throughout the HTML, making it more fragile and error-prone during template changes.
How do I fix microdata format detected instead of json-ld?
Convert Microdata markup to JSON-LD format. Create a <script type="application/ld+json"> block with the equivalent structured data. This can be done independently of the HTML markup, making it easier to maintain.
How serious is this issue?
This is an advisory finding: not a defect, but an opportunity flagged so you can decide deliberately rather than by accident. It belongs to the structured data family of checks.
How do I find every page affected by this on my site?
Run a free Dr Urls audit: it crawls your site, detects microdata format detected instead of json-ld on every affected page, shows example URLs, and generates a ready-to-use fix task. Re-scan after fixing to verify the issue is gone.
Does your site have this issue?
A free Dr Urls audit crawls your site, finds every page affected by microdata format detected instead of json-ld, and hands you a ready-made fix task.
Check my site free